Walters had Ireland's first sighting of goal, only to skew his strike wide from 18 yards out, and the hosts' sluggish opening was punished in the 31st minute.

David Alaba's low corner found Hinteregger via a couple of dummies and, though the defender scuffed his first-time effort, Randolph could not get down quickly enough to keep it out.

Duffy went close with a header after the restart, before proving his worth at the other end with a brilliant block from Guido Burgstaller's close-range attempt.

Walters continued to trouble Austria's defence as Ireland finally burst into life, and only Aleksandar Dragovic's well-timed challenge prevented the Stoke City man getting through on goal on the hour.

Wes Hoolahan replaced Harry Arter soon afterwards and the playmaker had an immediate impact as his wicked cross was deflected goalwards by Lainer, but goalkeeper Heinz Lindner was well placed to spare his team-mate's blushes.

Lainer was soon involved again - doing well to clear Long's header off the line - but Ireland were not to be denied for much longer.

With Randolph having pulled off a supreme stop at the other end to keep out Florian Grillitsch, Walters got the better of Dragovic and then kept his cool to drill a venomous volley into the bottom-right corner and send the Aviva Stadium into raptures.

5 - Five of the last seven goals the Republic of Ireland have scored in home qualifiers have been scored by Jonathan Walters. Leveller. pic.twitter.com/v6nZcIAd4e